Encinitas, California: the birthplace of yoga in america

According to the San Diego Reader, by the end of 1932, the LA Times was declaring that, “Today there are more swamis to the square mile in Southern California than in any other section of the country.”

A few questions: why Southern California, and what the (bleep) is a swami?

About 25 miles north of downtown San Diego resides Encinitas, a beach city known today for its world-class surfing, abundance of vegan restaurants, crystal shops, and a thriving yoga community.

In 1936, a prominent spiritual leader named Swami Yogananda was given a temple in Encinitas by one of his wealthy disciples. It is was here where he wrote the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, which introduced the concept of meditation to millions of Westerners then, and still today. This temple is a significant place as an origin of yoga and meditation in America, and is perhaps what inspired the conscious community that exists here today.

planning your trip

When: This guide is best to follow on a Sunday. If you are following the guide on a different day of the week, take note of business hours below. If you don’t have the chance to visit Encinitas, feel free to explore the additional resources mentioned below in italics.

Where: For help with navigation, follow the custom Google Map created with all the suggestions mentioned below. You can also click on any of the locations in bold below to take to you Google Maps in a pinch.

How: The day starts in the north part of town, and heads south. It can be completed with or without a car.

10:00am: shop local at Leucadia Farmer’s Market

(Sundays only 10:00am - 2:00pm)

Farmers markets in Southern California are more than just a place to buy fresh produce. These markets serve as weekly events for the community to gather, as well as an opportunity for local food vendors, artisans, musicians and farmers to share their crafts. Because of this, each farmer’s market has its own vibe, unique feel and experience that reflects the neighborhood it’s in.

Leucadia’s Market has over 75 vendors, local artisans and even a food court serving breakfast and lunch. Come hungry!

11:00am: ecstatic dance at Dance Church

(Sundays only from 11:00am-1:00pm)

Dance Church does Sunday church a little different. Ecstatic Dance is a substance-free & judgement-free dance floor where movers and groovers are invited to feel the music and express themselves as they wish. It is an escape from societal social pressures, an opportunity to move freely, and to do what you want. It feels like being a kid again— there is no pressure to “be” what our egos might tell us we are— you can just “be” yourself.

When you get into the flow of the dance, it turns into a trance-like moving meditation. You are free to interact with other dancers, or to connect with your own self and rhythm. Moving is magic. <3

Ecstatic dance takes place in every city around the world. Google “ecstatic dance [your city],” or check out 5 Rhythms to find one nearby.

1:00pm: vegan lunch at EVE Encinitas

EVE Encinitas is a plant-based restaurant that has killer buddha bowls, gluten-free veggie flatbreads, beyond meat burgers (with coconut bacon), garden of eden smoothies and a California classic: pitaya acai bowls.

Beyond being just a healthy and tasty restaurant, EVE is also a sunny and relaxed spot to spend time journaling, working, reading and hanging out. It has huge open windows, a library to peruse, comfy couches, and lots of table space. You’ll probably run into other yogis, surfers, musicians and festival friends here.

EVE also hosts a number of conscious events like, Open Mic Art Nights, Holistic Markets, Full Moon Ceremonies, and Vegan Cookbook launches. Check their event calendar for more.

2:00pm: crystal shop around town

There are lots of shops to explore on Encinitas’ main drag. Earth’s Elements is a beautiful sunlight space with an impressive collection of crystals, journals, incense, singing bowls, and jewelry. Soulscape Gift and Book Shop has a wide variety of books on spirituality, and the gift shop at the Self Realization Fellowship Temple is affordable for any budget.

3:00pm meditation at the Self Realization Fellowship

(Meditation Gardens are open Sunday 11:00 am– 5:00 pm and Tuesday–Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Yogananda’s branch of yoga (Kriya Yoga) preaches the power of meditation in realizing one’s highest potential, called self-realization.

The temple’s lush Mediation Gardens sit alongside the edge of an epic seaside bluff. Stroll through the lush gardens, past the overhanging trees and bustling koi ponds and you’ll get to an open air plaza overlooking the ocean. Take a moment to watch the waves break below and the surfers roll in.

If you’re interested in learning more about mediation, self-realization or Yogananda, check out the documentary “Awake” or the book Autobiography of a Yogi. The SRF temple’s event calendar has an up-to-date schedule of guided meditations and talks.

5:00pm: acro-yoga at Swami’s Jam

(Sundays from 12:00 noon - sunset)

Swami Beach Surfers

Every Sunday in the park outside of Swami Beach, all types of people from the Encinitas community come together to jam. Practice whatever flow fits your fancy— there are instruments to play, slacklines to cross, hoops to hula and acro-parters to play with.

If you’ve never tried it, acro yoga is a playful practice that combines partner yoga with acrobatics. It takes two yogis to acro— one to ‘base,’ for the other to ‘fly.’ It is a beautiful collaboration of creative expression, strength and flexibility.

The greater San Diego area has one of the largest acro-yoga communities is the country, and is the perfect place to practice and learn.

If you’re interested in trying acro-yoga in your own city, check Acroyoga.org, local Facebook groups or meetup.com for gatherings near you.

Full Moon Party

(BONus) 7:00pm: full moon party at Trilogy sanctuary

About 25 miles down the road in La Jolla, San Diego is a rooftop yoga studio called Trilogy Sanctuary. Each month they host a full moon party with aerial and fire performers, a drum circle, ecstatic dance, magic elixirs and much more.

If you miss the full moon party, Trilogy has all sorts of workshops and events almost every night. Check out their Event Calendar for more about Sonic Moon Sound Baths, Sunset Sounds, Yoga Nidra + Binural Beats and more.

thank you

I hope you enjoyed this guide full of ancient, mystic Encinitas’ secrets. If you did, please share with your yogi and traveler friends, and subscribe to the email list below for more dope days. Namaste 🙏🏼